Intensive methotrexate and cytarabine followed by high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell rescue in patients with newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma: an intent-to-treat analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of intensive methotrexate-based chemotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) with autologous stem-cell rescue in patients with newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients received induction chemotherapy using high-dose systemic methotrexate (3.5 g/m2) and cytarabine (3 g/m2 daily for 2 days). Fourteen patients with chemosensitive disease evident on neuroimaging then received high-dose therapy using carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan with autologous stem-cell rescue. RESULTS: The objective response rate to the induction-phase chemotherapy was 57%, and median overall survival is not yet assessable, with a median follow-up time of 28 months. The overall median event-free survival time is 5.6 months for all patients and 9.3 months for 14 patients who underwent transplantation. Six of these 14 patients (43%) remained disease-free at last follow-up. Treatment was well tolerated; there was one transplantation-related death. Prospective neuropsychologic evaluations have revealed no evidence of treatment-related neurotoxicity. CONCLUSION: This treatment approach is feasible in patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL without evidence of significant related neurotoxicity. Although the transplantation results are similar to those achieved in patients with aggressive or poor-prognosis systemic lymphoma, the low response rate to induction chemotherapy and the significant number of patients who experienced relapse soon after HDT suggest that more aggressive induction chemotherapy may be warranted.     

变应性鼻炎患者可溶性白细胞介素-2受体的测定

为探讨可溶性白细胞介素－２受体（ｓｏｌｕｂｌｅｉｎｔｅｒｌｅｕｋｉｎ２ｒｅｃｅｐｔｏｒ，ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ）在变应性鼻炎中的作用机理，采用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附测定（ＥＬＩＳＡ）法测定３９例变应性鼻炎患者、１９例慢性鼻炎患者和１５例健康人血清及鼻分泌物ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ水平。结果发现变应性鼻炎患者血清ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ水平高于慢性鼻炎患者及健康人（Ｐ＜０．００１）。提示ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ在变应性鼻炎的发病中起重要作用     

Comparison of internal radiation doses estimated by MIRD and voxel techniques for a "family" of phantoms

The aim of this study was to use a new system of realistic voxel phantoms, based on computed tomography scanning of humans, to assess its ability to specify the internal dosimetry of selected human examples in comparison with the well-established MIRD system of mathematical anthropomorphic phantoms. Differences in specific absorbed fractions between the two systems were inferred by using organ dose estimates as the end point for comparison. A "family" of voxel phantoms, comprising an 8-week-old baby, a 7-year-old child and a 38-year-old adult, was used and a close match to these was made by interpolating between organ doses estimated for pairs of the series of six MIRD phantoms. Using both systems, doses were calculated for up to 22 organs for four radiopharmaceuticals with widely differing biodistribution and emission characteristics (technetium-99m pertechnetate, administered without thyroid blocking; iodine-123 iodide; indium-111 antimyosin; oxygen-15 water). Organ dose estimates under the MIRD system were derived using the software MIRDOSE 3, which incorporates specific absorbed fraction (SAF) values for the MIRD phantom series. The voxel system uses software based on the same dose calculation formula in conjunction with SAF values determined by Monte Carlo analysis at the GSF of the three voxel phantoms. Effective doses were also compared. Substantial differences in organ weights were observed between the two systems, 18% differing by more than a factor of 2. Out of a total of 238 organ dose comparisons, 5% differed by more than a factor of 2 between the systems; these included some doses to walls of the GI tract, a significant result in relation to their high tissue weighting factors. Some of the largest differences in dose were associated with organs of lower significance in terms of radiosensitivity (e.g. thymus). In this small series, voxel organ doses tended to exceed MIRD values, on average, and a 10% difference was significant when all 238 organ doses were considered as a single group. In 12 comparisons of effective dose, the mean voxel to MIRD ratio was 1.07 (range 0.72-1.32). It was shown for the majority of cases that, whereas some large differences in SAF values exist, differences in source organ and effective dose values between the MIRD and voxel methods were largely accounted for by the respective organ mass differences. The reasons for various organ dose differences with the selected radiopharmaceuticals are discussed. Taking biological variation into account, there is reasonable agreement between the two methods but some significant differences exist that warrant further investigation. More extensive comparisons involving a wide variety of voxel phantoms are required to establish whether realistic voxel phantoms should eventually replace the MIRD system.     

Electromotive administration of intravesical bethanechol and the clinical impact on acontractile detrusor management: introduction of a new test

PURPOSE: It is often difficult to determine the functional status of the detrusor muscle in patients with detrusor areflexia. We performed a clinical study to establish a test defining residual detrusor capacity in such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In phase 1, 5 controls with detrusor areflexia were tested with an intravesical instillation of 20 mg. bethanechol in 150 cc of sodium chloride 0.3% with and without 20 mA. of pulsed current applied via an electrode catheter through the saline. Cystometry simultaneously recorded intravesical pressure changes. In phase 2, 45 patients with detrusor areflexia were tested with electromotive administration of intravesical bethanechol. In phase 3, 25 mg. bethanechol given orally once daily were prescribed for 15 patients and voiding control was assessed after 6 weeks of therapy. RESULTS: Neither bethanechol without current nor current through saline only led to increased intravesical pressure. However, we noted a mean pressure increase of 34 cm. water during the electromotive administration of bethanechol in 24 of 26 patients with areflexia and neurological disease compared to only 3 cm. water in 3 of 11 with a history of chronic bladder dilatation. Oral bethanechol restored spontaneous voiding in 9 of 11 patients who had had a positive response to the electromotive administration of bethanechol, whereas all 4 without a pressure increase during the electromotive administration of bethanechol did not void spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Electromotive administration of intravesical bethanechol identifies patients with an atonic bladder and adequate residual detrusor muscle function who are candidates for restorative measures, such as oral bethanechol and intravesical electrostimulation. Those who do not respond to the electromotive administration of bethanechol do not benefit from oral bethanechol and are candidates for catheterization.     

应用抗粘灵气雾剂预防腹腔术后粘连的实验研究

目的：为临床外科寻找简便易行有效的预防腹腔术后粘连的新方法和药物：方法：用白及、黄芪等多味中药制成抗粘灵气雾剂，通过对60只家免盲肠部分切除制造实验动物模型，并对其创面进行活体药物喷涂。结果：抗粘灵气雾剂预防腹腔术后粘连效果良好，总有效率86．67％，与对照组比较，有非常显著差异（P〈0．01）。结论：抗粘灵气雾剂预防腹腔术后粘连有效，且方法简便易行，从而可为临床外科领域提供高效。价廉的木申抗粘连药物。     

The psychiatric expert witness

The novice psychiatric expert witness undergoes intense scrutiny and enters an unfamiliar legal system. Caution must be taken to maintain professional integrity and avoid bias. Educating the court about matters pertaining to mental health is a critical function of the expert. Forming well-reasoned opinions that are communicated with clear language enhances this task. An expert who is both knowledgeable and well prepared will better serve the court, and is less likely to be intimidated by the adversarial process.     

The biology of Helicobacter pylori infection, a major risk factor for gastric adenocarcinoma.

Helicobacter pylori infection of the human stomach is the most important risk factor for development of gastric cancer. Whereas persistent viral infection leads to a number of cancers, H. pylori was the first bacteria linked to a human cancer. The exact mechanisms that lead to cancer induction are not clear, but study of the bacterial factors important for colonization and the host responses to the infection are starting to yield important clues.     

Feasibility and acceptability of a motivational interviewing breastfeeding peer support intervention

An uncontrolled study with process evaluation was conducted in three U.K. community maternity sites to establish the feasibility and acceptability of delivering a novel breastfeeding peer‐support intervention informed by motivational interviewing (MI; Mam‐Kind). Peer‐supporters were trained to deliver the Mam‐Kind intervention that provided intensive one‐to‐one peer‐support, including (a) antenatal contact, (b) face‐to‐face contact within 48 hr of birth, (c) proactive (peer‐supporter led) alternate day contact for 2 weeks after birth, and (d) mother‐led contact for a further 6 weeks. Peer‐supporters completed structured diaries and audio‐recorded face‐to‐face sessions with mothers. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of mothers, health professionals, and all peer‐supporters. Interview data were analysed thematically to assess intervention acceptability. Audio‐recorded peer‐support sessions were assessed for intervention fidelity and the use of MI techniques, using the MITI 4.2 tool. Eight peer‐supporters delivered the Mam‐Kind intervention to 70 mothers in three National Health Service maternity services. Qualitative interviews with mothers (n = 28), peer‐supporters (n = 8), and health professionals (n = 12) indicated that the intervention was acceptable, and health professionals felt it could be integrated with existing services. There was high fidelity to intervention content; 93% of intervention objectives were met during sessions. However, peer‐supporters reported difficulties in adapting from an expert‐by‐experience role to a collaborative role. We have established the feasibility and acceptability of providing breastfeeding peer‐support using a MI‐informed approach. Refinement of the intervention is needed to further develop peer‐supporters' skills in providing mother‐centred support. The refined intervention should be tested for effectiveness in a randomised controlled trial.